FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 19, 2025
Hagåtña, Guam — Governor Lou Leon Guerrero today announced a significant step in Guam’s digital transformation as the federal government approved the Office of Infrastructure Policy and Development (OIPD), Guam’s Broadband Office, deployment subawards under the federal Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) Program. The projects will bring resilient fiber to almost 1,400 homes that still lack reliable service, deliver gigabit fiber to 175 Community Anchor Institutions, and provide satellite coverage to areas previously unreachable through other forms of broadband service. This marks the start island’s most wide-ranging broadband build-out to date. Prior federal investments were either for network capability or reaching fewer homes than those included under BEAD.
“Every family, student, and worker on Guam deserves reliable, high-speed internet—no matter where they live or what their income may be. This investment is long overdue, and it signals that Guam’s needs are being heard at the national level. These projects strengthen our economy, improve public safety, and ensure our people can thrive in the digital age,” said Governor Leon Guerrero.
Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio said, “Our rural and remote areas have waited too long. These projects ensure that essential services are accessible to everyone. These investments represent a commitment to ensuring that no community is overlooked and that no student, senior, veteran, or family is denied the opportunity to prosper in the digital age. This is a commitment to opportunity, inclusion, and resilience for the entire island.”
GTA Deployment GTA’s project will extend storm-resilient fiber to almost 1,400 homes that currently lack consistent connectivity. Construction will roll out in stages across multiple villages, with service becoming available as segments are completed. The design reflects Guam’s climate and aims to provide stable, modern service that supports school, work, telehealth, and public safety.
IT&E Deployment IT&E will deliver gigabit-speed fiber to 175 community institutions, including schools, clinics, libraries, senior centers, and public safety facilities. These upgrades will provide faster, more dependable service for telehealth, distance learning, emergency response, and other essential public functions. Strengthening connectivity at these institutions improves access to services and supports long-term village resilience.
SpaceX Coverage SpaceX will provide Starlink service to areas where geography makes traditional infrastructure difficult. The satellite-based system allows for timely activation, offering homes in these few locations a more dependable connection for work, school, and communication.
Investing in Connectivity To date, Guam will award $1,820,957.56 in BEAD deployment subgrants, supported by $3,134,370.83 in matching funds to be contributed by participating providers. These investments reflect a strong public–private partnership that expands the reach of federal funding and moves more projects forward without increasing costs to Guam taxpayers. A cybersecurity monitoring project of $500,000 is also part of the approved plan.
All awarded costs were verified as directly tied to BEAD-eligible deployment activities. The subgrants were selected through a federally compliant review process prioritizing resiliency, long-term affordability, coverage reliability, community impact, and full NTIA compliance. While BEAD allows up to four years for deployment, all providers intend to deliver their projects in shorter, phased stages to bring service online as early as possible.
Years of Work This milestone reflects more than two years of focused effort by the Broadband Office: detailed mapping to identify service gaps, village-level consultations, coordination with federal agencies and local governments, alignment with national broadband standards, and the development of Guam’s first official broadband strategy plans. The work also reflects ongoing engagement with federal partners such as the FCC, NTIA, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of the Interior to ensure Guam’s needs were clearly understood and prioritized.
Guam also has several BEAD-supported projects under federal review. These proposals aim to further improve digital access, resilience, and service quality across the island. The Broadband Office continues to work closely with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to ensure that Guam’s deployment support funds are aligned with federal standards and well-positioned for approval. A significant share of Guam’s BEAD award is still awaiting federal clearance for use, and our goal remains the same: ensuring that the funding Congress set aside for our island is translated into real-world improvements for the people who need it. More deployment subgrant details will be shared as program deployment progresses, following the required NIST review and final federal clearances.
“This work is about giving every family and every village a fair shot,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “Better broadband means better opportunities—for learning, for health, for business, for safety, and for connection. This is a milestone for our island’s future, and it brings us closer to a Guam where possibility isn’t limited by geography.”
Deployment will begin upon execution of final subgrant agreements. NTIA-identified locations from Yigo to Chalan Pago, as well as CAIs such as mayors’ offices, are included. Other areas are being addressed through separate federally funded broadband initiatives.
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